MBKS springs into action as storm brings relief from haze, wreaks havoc across Kuching

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Aug 15: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) sprang into action following a severe thunderstorm that swept through the city this evening, bringing much-needed rain to ease the haze and scorching weather but also wreaking havoc, with roofs blown off, trees uprooted, electricity cables affected and flash floods reported in several areas.

MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said councillors and council personnel were immediately deployed in teams to respond to reports of storm-related damage and assist emergency agencies at affected locations.

“The storm also caused damage in several residential areas, including a house where the roof was blown off and debris landed near the roadside near Jalan Chong Chin Kong,” he said during a Facebook live today.

A small tree was also found obstructing electricity cables, prompting MBKS to notify Sarawak Energy for further action.

Among the incidents that impressed Wee was a fallen tree at Taman Riverview in Pending, where the local Kapitan and his wife immediately returned home to retrieve a chainsaw and began clearing the obstruction.

Wee said he had warned the Kapitan not to undertake the work himself because of the risks involved.

But the community leader told him that leaving the tree on the road could result in a vehicle crashing into it and causing an accident.

“The incident demonstrated the spirit of community leadership we hope to see, with the Kapitan acting out of concern for public safety rather than publicity.

“He was not thinking about taking photographs or posting on Facebook. His only concern was that someone might drive into the tree and get into an accident,” he said.

Wee added that the incident showed how community leaders, including those who were older, continued to take responsibility and serve their communities.

Meanwhile, MBKS councillors were divided into several teams to attend to reports from different parts of the city. One councillor accompanied the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to Jalan Ming Ching near Jalan Foochow, where a fallen tree had obstructed the road.

He also praised Bomba personnel and other frontline workers who had been responding to incidents since shortly after 5pm.

“It is now almost 7pm, and they have been working since after 5pm. We cannot do everything for them, but by coming here, we can give them moral support and, on behalf of the residents, thank them,” he said.

He said the storm also damaged several stalls at the Kuching Food Festival, with strong winds dislodging signboards and damaging part of the canopy at the UCCN Gastronomy Pavilion section.

“We have done our best to put the signboards back in place, and some stalls are already able to resume operations temporarily,” he said.

However, as a safety precaution, MBKS ordered all stalls at the UCCN Gastronomy Pavilion to cease operations after strong winds damaged about half of the canopy structure.

Wee also urged members of the public to exercise extra caution during thunderstorms and torrential rain, advising them to avoid being outdoors or travelling along exposed roads when conditions become dangerous.

“If there is somewhere safe for you to stop, please stop temporarily,” he said.

While the storm caused widespread disruption, Wee said the rain had also brought relief from the haze and hot weather that had affected Kuching.

He said he hoped the haze would not return but acknowledged that weather conditions were difficult to predict.

Wee added that he would raise the haze issue during a meeting with the Indonesian Consul-General on Monday.

He urged residents to work together and support one another during times of disaster.

“When there is a disaster or misfortune, everyone must come together and cooperate. Only by working together can we overcome these situations,” he said.

Residents affected by the storm were encouraged to notify MBKS so that the council could assess the situation and provide assistance where possible. — DayakDaily

Advertisement